Lal undertook an inspection in Noida on Saturday morning with the officials of Noida authority. He expressed his displeasure at the working of the authority.

Lal said the rising level of dust particles in Noida is due to three reasons — flouting of laws during construction, second is dust part on roads and particulate matter emitted from burning of garbage on the roadside.(Burhaan Kinu/HT FILE PHOTO)

Expressing his concern over rising air pollution in Noida, Dr Bhure Lal, the chairman of Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA), a Supreme Court-appointed body, asked Noida authority to crack down on builders flouting environment norms.

Lal undertook an inspection in Noida on Saturday morning with the officials of Noida authority. He expressed his displeasure at the working of the authority. “I visited various construction sites in sectors 125,126, 75, 76, 77 and 78 and found that environmental and building norms set by the national bodies are being openly flouted. Many projects were going on without safety measures — there was no screening for dust control, water was not sprinkled on soil and debris was kept on the roadside,” he said.

“I have asked the CEO of the Noida authority to call a meeting of builders and make them aware of the open violation of laws set by Union ministry of forests and environment, National Green Tribunal, EPCA and state pollution board. They must be told to follow the norms, failing which they can be penalised from Rs5,000 to Rs5,00,000,” said Dr Lal.

He said the rising level of dust particles in Noida is due to three reasons. “The first reason is flouting of laws during construction, second is dust part on roads and particulate matter emitted from burning of garbage on the roadside,” he said.

Lal also found many violations in the functioning of hot-mix plants at construction sites in Noida. Recently, a 13-year-old girl in Noida died after she accidentally fell into an illegal hot mixing plant.

“As soon as they saw us coming, they started covering their plants with sheets. I have strictly asked them to stop flouting the norms,” he said.

He also expressed his concern over burning plastic and garbage on roadsides. “In many urban villages of Noida, people had thrown garbage on the roadside and there were piles of filth lying around. In many instances, I found the garbage, including plastic, being set afire,” said Dr Lal.

Lal also asked authority officials to keep a check on pollution by vehicles, “Such vehicles that are polluting, their owners must be acted upon.”